PHYSICS 106
Summer 2011
Instructor:
Stephanie Magleby (sam25@physics.byu.edu)
Office Hours: MWF 2 -3 pm, N311 ESC
Office Phone (physics): 422-7056
Office Phone (engineering): 422-8319
TA: Corbin Jacobs [corbinjacobs@gmail.com] Email Corbin with any reading quiz questions or
Mastering Physics issues.
Textbook: The textbook we will be using is the 4th edition of Physics, by James S. Walker. It
includes Mastering Physics™, our online homework program. Following are some options for
buying your textbook.
From the BYU Bookstore:
Physics with MasteringPhysics™, Vol. 2 (BYU Edition)
James S. Walker ~ Addison Wesley ~ ISBN: 978-0558-550417 ~ Paperback
Hopefully this will be on the bookstore shelves in time! This text has been tailored to our
class and only includes the chapters and sections we will be covering.
Online:
Physics with MasteringPhysics™, Volume 2 (4th Edition)
James S. Walker ~ Addison Wesley ~ ISBN: 978-0321597502~ Paperback
MasteringPhysics™ only:
MasteringPhysics™ Student Access Kit for Physics
James S. Walker ~ Addison Wesley ~ ISBN: 978-0321696274 ~ Paperback
If you already own a textbook and just need Mastering Physics access for online homework,
this is the way to go.
Optional:
Study Guide and Selected Solutions Manual for Physics, Volume 2
James S. Walker ~ Addison Wesley ~ ISBN: 9780321601995 ~ Paperback
This is recommended if you like to see many examples of problems worked out completely,
or if it has been awhile since you did algebra!
Course Website:
http://www.physics.byu.edu/faculty/magleby/physics106.aspx
Mastering Physics: http://www.masteringphysics.com/site/login.html.
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Homework is submitted online with a program called Mastering Physics. Registration
information is packaged with your textbook. There is a training exercise to be completed
before your first homework assignment. More information will be given about Mastering
Physics the first day of class.
Course Identification Number:
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Each of you will receive a 3-digit personal course identification number (CID) to
confidentially label your work. It is also used to access the BYU homework computer
system which will cover the reading quizzes, clicker quizzes and exam scores.
Those registered in the class before classes begin should have received a CID number by
email through their Route-Y email address. If you were not registered at the beginning of
the term or have not received it by the first day of classes, you can obtain your identification
number over the Internet. Go to the course home page and click on the link for Class
Identification Numbers.
Homework:
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Homework will be done online with “Mastering Physics”. You can find links on the course
web page: http://www.physics.byu.edu/faculty/magleby/physics106.aspx or you can go
straight to http://www.masteringphysics.com/site/login.html.
Assignments are usually due at noon on Mondays, with a couple of exceptions to
accommodate our compressed Summer Term schedule. See schedule for more details.
Late homework can be turned in for half credit until the closing date for each unit, which is
posted on the schedule. After the closing date for each of the four units, the computer will
no longer accept homework for that unit.
Up to 25 bonus “Life is Messy” (LIM) homework points will be added to your overall
homework score at the end of the semester. These LIM points are an acknowledgement that
“stuff happens”, and are intended to compensate for the frustrations of dealing with any
technical difficulties associated with computerized homework and also to be a sort of
emergency fund to be used in case of sickness, flat tires, roommate/spouse/child issues, etc.
You can use them to skip a whole homework assignment or to recover some points for
missed/unfinished/late/miskeyed/misunderstood problems along the way.
Any requests for individual homework adjustments, extensions or exceptions will be
considered, but please note that in exchange for individual consideration, you will be
required to waive your right to LIM points. Think carefully before requesting special
treatment.
The maximum overall homework score is 100%, or 35/100 total grade points. Homework
scores will not be allowed to go over 100% even if there are unused LIM points.
Reading Quizzes:
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There are two parts to the reading quizzes:
o An individual, on-your-honor reporting of your completion of the reading
assignment, worth 1 point.
o Extra questions, activities, games, simulations, etc. designed to introduce you to the
topic of the day and to supplement your reading, worth 1 point. To claim this second
point you must spend at least 15 minutes with the supplemental materials, or work
with it until you have completed all of the questions/activities, etc.
Reading quizzes must be completed by the beginning of class. This means you must have
completed the quiz and pushed “submit” before noon. At noon, the quiz locks out.
Reading quizzes are worth 5% of your final grade.
Reading Assignments:
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Reading assignments are shown on the course schedule and are based on the 4th edition of
the Walker textbook. Other editions may vary slightly.
You are welcome to use another text, such as College Physics by Serway/Faughn/Vuille, as
long as you have the MasteringPhysics™ access and are willing to figure out which Serway
chapters match with each assigned Walker chapter. There are a few notational differences
that I will try to point out in class.
Exams:
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There will be three closed book, closed note exams given this term. A formula sheet will be
provided.
You are expected to take all three of the exams. If you have some emergency which makes
taking the exam impossible, CALL (801) 422-7056 IMMEDIATELY and leave a detailed
message. I will get back to you ASAP and we will discuss Justice and Mercy. ☺
Exams may be taken early for university excused absences or with special permission from
Professor Magleby (and sufficient notice). See your faculty advisor for the necessary form.
An early exam is generally not the same exam taken by the rest of the class. It is usually
quite a bit harder-Exams may not be taken late for any reason.
Heads up! Summer Testing Center hours can be unusual, especially around the two holidays
in July. For example, it is only open from 10 am until 2 pm on Saturdays. Because of the
compressed schedule it is not possible to hold the exams over more than two days.
Tutorial Lab:
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The tutorial lab for Physics 106 is located in the north wing of the second floor of the ESC,
in room N304. Hours and TA schedules can be found through the link on the class website.
In-class clicker quizzes:
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Participation clicker quizzes will be given during the course of each lecture.
They will be worth up to 1% overall extra credit.
Clickers can be purchased at the bookstore and must be registered on the class website:
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http://www.physics.byu.edu/faculty/magleby/physics106.aspx .
Because clicker quizzes are purely extra credit, you are solely responsible for making sure that you
are registered correctly, that your I-clicker is working, that the batteries are charged, etc.
Final Exam:
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The final exam will not be cumulative. It will cover only the content from the fourth unit on
Modern Physics. It will be held in the testing center during the 1½ day finals period.
Final Grades:
Grades will be curved, and the average grade for the class will be 2.8. Grades will be determined
by the following weights:
Homework:
Exam1:
Exam 2:
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35%
20%
20%
Exam 3:
Reading quizzes:
20%
5%
Unprofessional behavior such as grade grubbing, poor sportsmanship, rude or unruly
behavior is subject to a one-half grade point fine.
Honor Code Standards: Remember that you have promised to uphold the principles of the honor
code. This means honesty in your academic work. Cheating will result in a failing grade and other
disciplinary action by the university. Please keep the dress code. It is embarrassing for both of us if
I am forced to discuss it with you.
Prevention of Sexual Harassment: BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends to students. If
you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your instructor,
contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 378-5895, or contact the Honor Code Office at 378-2847.
Students with Disabilities: BYU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified
persons with disabilities. If you have any disability that may adversely affect your success in this
course, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office at 378-2767. Services
deemed appropriate will be coordinated with the student and your instructor by that office.
Children in the Classroom: The serious study of the physical and mathematical sciences requires
uninterrupted concentration and focus in the classroom. Having small children in class is often a
distraction that degrades the educational experience for the entire class. Please make other
arrangements for child care rather than bringing children to class with you. If there are extenuating
circumstances, please talk with your instructor in advance.
Letters of Recommendation: I have found it necessary to limit my writing of letters of
recommendation to only those students who have worked closely with me (TAs, Graders, etc).